Method using spray ring in an enclosed air flow for purification

ABSTRACT

A hybrid humidity control and air purification device and method for hybrid humidity control and air purification. The hybrid device is a single unit capable of humidifying dry environmental air, dehumidifying humid environmental air and removing particulates and contaminants from the air. The device controls the outgoing air to a relative humidity setpoint between 35-50% with negligible particulate matter content. Particulate matter is transferred to water, which may be supplied and flushed by an automatic water pumping system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/454,660, now allowed, having a filing date of Jun. 27, 2019.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a hybrid humidity control and airpurification device, a method for hybrid humidity control and airpurification, and a non-transitory computer readable medium havinginstructions stored therein that, when executed by one or moreprocessors, cause the one or more processors to perform humidity controland air purification.

Description of the Related Art

Across the world, there are many countries which currently suffer fromdangerously high levels of air pollution. These levels are exacerbatedby environmental factors, such as dust storms, pollen, chemicalpollutants, hydrocarbon particulates, and other factors.

The threat to health due to the aforementioned pollutants has reached acrisis level in many populated areas. For example, asthma is a chronicdisease for two million people in Saudi Arabia. Across the world, over300 million people are affected with asthma. Some common householdpollutants are gaseous contaminants, particulate contaminants, such assoot, tobacco smoke, smog, oil smoke, fly ash, cement dust and householddust particles. Biological contaminants are also a concern, such asviruses, cat allergens, bacteria, dust mite allergens, mold spores andpollen.

Air pollution within a sealed environment, such as a home or apartmentis a concern. Humans and animals inhale oxygen and exhale CO2, thus CO2concentration levels can rise in such an enclosed environment with nooutside air flow.

Table 1 shows how elevated levels of CO2 can cause illness in humanswithin the environment.

TABLE 1 CO₂ concentration Levels and Effect on Health CO₂ concentrationEffect on Health 250-350 ppm Normal background concentration in outdoorambient air 350-1,000 ppm Concentrations typical of occupied indoorspaces with good air exchange 1,000-2,000 ppm Complaints of drowsinessand poor air. 2,000-5,000 ppm Headaches, sleepiness and stagnant, stale,stuffy air. Poor concentration, loss of attention, in- creased heartrate and slight nausea may also be present. 5,000 Workplace exposurelimit (as 8-hour TWA) in most jurisdictions. >40,000 ppm Exposure maylead to serious oxygen deprivation resulting in permanent brain damage,coma, even death.

The United States EPA Air Quality Index(https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-05/documents/zell-aqi.pdf)sets air quality standards and advises citizens of their effect onhealth. An air quality index of 101 typically corresponds to the levelthat violates the national health standard. The index is based on theconcentrations of 5 pollutants. The index is calculated from theconcentrations of the following pollutants: Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide,Sulphur Dioxide, PM_(2.5) (particles with an aerodynamic diameter lessthan 2.5 μm) and PM₁₀ (particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than10 μm). PM_(2.5) is generally described as fine particles.

The EPA standards are color coded for ease of reference when reportingair quality levels to the public. For example, a color code of “green”refers to good air quality, “orange” alerts the public that air qualityis poor and “maroon” refers to hazardous air quality. Table 2 forPM_(2.5) and Table 3 for PM₁₀ show the health conditions for each colorcode, the color code value, and the respective 24 hour averageparticulate matter concentration value in micrograms per meter cubed.

TABLE 2 PM2.5 Air Quality Index Color Codes 24 hr Avg PM_(2.5) Conc. AQICategory Color Code AQI Value (μg/m³) Good Green  0-50   0-15.4 ModerateYellow  51-100 15.5-40.4 USG Orange 101-150 40.5-65.4 Unhealthy Red151-200  65.5-150.4 Very Unhealthy Purple 201-300 150.5-250.4 HazardousMaroon 301-500 250.5-500.4

TABLE 2 PM₁₀ Air Quality Index Color Codes 24 hr Avg PM_(2.5) Conc. AQICategory Color Code AQI Value (μg/m³) Good Green  0-50  0-54 ModerateYellow  51-100  55-154 USG Orange 101-150 155-254 Unhealthy Red 151-200255-354 Very Unhealthy Purple 201-300 355-424 Hazardous Maroon 301-500425-604

Additionally, air quality is affected by extremes of humidity. Forexample, coastal regions such as Jubail, Dammam, Jeddah in Saudi Arabiaas well as the southeastern region of the United States have very highhumidity levels. Central areas, such as Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and thesouthwestern region in the United States, have extremely dry climates.High humidity causes microbial biological growth which releasestoxins/allergens to the environment. Extremely dry air conditions causeskin irritation as well as respiratory dangers in humans.

The control of air pollution and humidity within an enclosed environmenthas been addressed conventionally by devices which increase humiditylevels, devices which lower humidity levels and devices which purifyair. However, a single unit has not previously been known which canpurify, humidify and dehumidify air as needed to result in a purified,humidity controlled air stream.

Zhu in US2017/010633 seeks to control the removal of air pollutants fromcontaminated environmental space air by allowing the contaminated air tocontact an absorbent liquid medium. The liquid medium can be water orwater mixed with at least one of sodium chloride, ethylene glycol,glycerin or a substance chosen to eliminate a particular pollutant. Theair is first introduced into a toilet tank and allowed to bubble throughthe water in the tank before water pumping through at least one of thewater mixtures. This reference uses a cartridge filter at the air outputport to remove additional contaminants. The air is humidified andpurified. The disclosure of Zhu does not seek to control humidity ortemperature of the air by a cooling system or a heater, and requires afilter which must be changed by the user. Furthermore, the air cannot bedehumidified using this device.

Park in US20080127820 discloses a two-in-one humidifier and air purifierknown as an air washer, which uses a wheel which rotates through a waterbath. Air is blown over the wheel to humidify and remove particulates inthe air. The speed of the wheel controls the degree of humidification.This device does not permit fine control of output air humidity nor doesit dehumidify air which contains too much water vapor.

The present disclosure seeks to address the aforementioned problems ofindoor air quality management by providing a system in a single unitwhich combines the functions of humidifying, dehumidifying and airpurifying, where the output air humidity levels are carefullycontrolled. Additionally the inventive system uses tap water and isself-flushing through household sewer lines. A filter which must becleaned by the user is not required, as the unit has a cleaning cyclewhich sanitizes the equipment. Details and embodiments of the inventionare described more fully below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a solution to the need for a hybriddevice which can humidify, dehumidify and purify incoming air. Thedevice includes components and circuitry configured to provide automatedcontrol of operation to setpoint levels based on sensor feedback. Anexemplary method is described for controlling the hybrid humiditycontrol and air purification device.

In a first embodiment, the hybrid humidity control and air purificationdevice comprises an enclosure including a cyclonic vessel, a cold waterbath, a heating chamber, a heat pump, a water pump, a secondary heater,an air intake port including a controllable fan and sensors, an airoutlet vent including a controllable fan and sensors, and a controller.

In a second embodiment, the hybrid humidity control and air purificationdevice comprises an enclosure including a cyclonic vessel, a first coldwater bath, a second cold water bath including a phase change material,a heating chamber, a heat pump, a water pump, a secondary heater, an airintake port including a controllable fan and sensors, an air outlet ventincluding a controllable fan and sensors, and a controller.

In both the first and second embodiments, a water pumping systemoperates valves and the water pump to control the water levels and waterquality within the cyclonic vessel and within the at least one coldwater bath.

In both the first and second embodiments, an air flow system operatesfans in the enclosure, the cyclonic vessel and in the at least one coldwater bath.

In both the first and second embodiments, a sensor network measures atleast one of water level, water quality, temperature, relative humidity,and particulate matter according to the EPA PM_(2.5) standard andprovides measurement signals to a controller.

In a third embodiment, a method for controlling the hybrid humiditycontrol and air purification device is described. The controller hascircuitry configured to control the device to operational setpointlevels based on the sensor signals.

The foregoing general description of the illustrative embodiments andthe following detailed description thereof are merely exemplary aspectsof the teachings of this disclosure, and are not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendantadvantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A shows a graph of absolute humidity versus temperature in theregion of 0-100 degrees Celsius.

FIG. 1B shows the graph of absolute humidity versus temperature in theregion of 2-10 degrees Celsius.

FIG. 2A shows a graph of relative humidity versus temperature over thetemperature range of 16-26 degrees Celsius.

FIG. 2B shows a graph of relative humidity versus indoor air temperaturefor cold water bath temperatures of 5 and 10 degrees Celsius.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus having a singlecold water bath.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus having a secondcold water bath and phase change material.

FIG. 5 describes the calibration of the water levels and water qualityin the cyclonic vessel and the first and second cold water baths.

FIG. 6 details settings of the fan and cyclonic vessel motor speeds withrespect to environmental air conditions.

FIG. 7 shows hardware for the controller used in the exemplaryembodiments.

FIG. 8 shows a data processing system hub used in the exemplaryembodiments.

FIG. 9 shows circuitry configured to perform features of the invention.

FIG. 10 shows distributed components including one or more client andserver machines, which may share processing.

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary cyclonic vessel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring Now to the Drawings, Wherein Like Reference Numerals DesignateIdentical or Corresponding Parts Throughout the Several Views.

Further, as used herein, the words “a,” “an” and the like generallycarry a meaning of “one or more,” unless stated otherwise. Furthermore,the terms “approximately,” “approximate,” “about,” and similar termsgenerally refer to ranges that include the identified value within amargin of 10%, or preferably 5%, and any values therebetween.

As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” means that thesubsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, andthat the description includes instances where said event or circumstanceoccurs and instances where it does not.

Unless otherwise expressly stated or required by the claims, it is in noway intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiringthat its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where amethod claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by itssteps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims ordescriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it isin no way intended that an order be required.

As used herein, the term “particulate matter” refers to solid(particulate), gaseous materials, and/or liquid materials, and/ormixtures thereof, which may be present in the air as a suspension,aerosol, sol, or mixture and the like, in an amount which is measurablyabove background levels of such materials found in nature. Inparticular, “particulate matter” refers to a pollutant or contaminantthat exceeds a concentration or level defined by a regulatory agency,such as the EPA, that can result in health or safety concerns. Examplesof pollutants or contaminants are formaldehyde, ozone, formic acid,ammonia, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides (NOx, including NO, NO₂),hydrogen sulfide, chlorinated hydrocarbons; volatile organic compounds(VOCs); industrial emissions from manufacturing facilities includingrefineries and the like; automobile emissions; workplace-generatedemissions, particulate matter, including smoke and grease vapors fromcooking; tobacco smoke, airborne dust containing heavy metals such aslead, cadmium, mercury, chromium and the like; allergens such as plantpollen; animal dander; including tobacco smoke and soot particles andthe like; airborne microorganisms such as bacteria, fungal spores, andmites, viral particles and the like; and foul or obnoxious odors,including those from decomposing organic matter, human or animalwastepipe, urine or feces, and dust, including explosive dust, forexample dust present in coal mines, generated in grain elevators, fromspecial effects produced in filmmaking or pyrotechnics, from industrialoperations such as grinding, machining or milling.

As used herein, the term “environmental air” refers to the air thatexists within an environmental space which may have limited exchangewith air outside the environmental space. The environmental air may ormay not be contaminated with particulate matter. The environmental airis assumed to be controlled to a temperature of 21-23 degrees Celsius byan air conditioning system as is known in the art and which is not partof the present disclosure.

As used herein, the term “environmental space” refers to any space inwhich some control of the air quality and humidity is desired. Thisincludes enclosed spaces or outdoor spaces in which environmental airquality can affect occupying individuals or objects.

Enclosed spaces include such spaces as rooms, compartments, chambers,buildings, dwellings and the like which have limited air exchange withthe outdoor environment, but are otherwise suitable for occupancy or useby humans, livestock or pets; spaces used for the storage of objectssubject to environmental conditions such as food, fruits, vegetables,i.e., vegetable stock rooms, meat and the like, or objects sensitive tothe environment such as art work, musical instruments, furniture,antiques and the like. Examples of such enclosed spaces include rooms inhomes and living quarters; offices and working areas includinglaboratories, medical facilities such as clinics, hospitals and doctor'soffices, art galleries, warehouses, outbuildings; public buildings, suchas schools, classrooms, auditoriums, arenas, indoor stadiums, and thelike; hotels and other lodging accommodations; restaurants and othereating establishments; theaters, transportation stations, such asrailway stations, bus or subway stations, and airport terminals; storageareas such as closets, refrigerators, dishwashers, closets, displaycases, garages, hangars, and sheds; passenger/operator and cargocompartments in vehicles such as automobiles, trucks, trucks withclimate controlled cargo space, vehicles used for space travel orexploration, motor homes, trains including climate controlled railwaycars; aircraft including environmentally controlled airplane cargo holdsand passenger compartments, passenger ships including staterooms, pubicareas and cargo holds, working or recreational water craft and the like.

The hybrid humidity control and air purification device is designed topurify air of contaminants and control the humidity of the air in anenclosed environment as mentioned above. The humidity is controlled to asetpoint range of 30-60%, preferably 35-50%. The air quality iscontrolled to meet EPA PM_(2.5) standards. The temperature of theoutgoing air is not deliberately controlled and can be warmer, colder orequal to the room ambient air temperature depending on the inputrelative humidity.

As used herein, the term “additive(s)” refers to any material dissolvedor suspended in water to enhance degradation of contaminants or controlthe humidity of the environmental space air being treated. Suchadditives include salts, such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride,sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, calcium sulfate; surfactants; acid orbase neutralizers, such as amino acids; buffering agents such as sodiumbicarbonate or ammonium chloride; acids such as mineral acids such ashydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and the like; bases such as mono-, di-and trialkylamines, alkaline metal hydroxides, alkaline earthhydroxides, and ammonia; oxidizing agents such as chlorine bleach,peroxides, peracids, or sodium hypochlorite, and ozone; reducing agentssuch as sugars and vitamin C; chelating agents such as EDTA; freeradical scavengers such as hydroquinone, starch, cyclic dextrans;rheological agents, specific binding reagents such as dimedone and thelike; aldehyde complexation agents such as sodium or potassiumbisulfite, sulfide precipitation agents such as zinc oxide, or silvernitrate; and metal and metal oxide catalysts, including TiO2 as well asrare earth metal catalysts, including those that catalyze oxidativedegradation of contaminants such as formaldehyde. The additives may alsoinclude materials which are biocides as defined below.

As used herein, the term “antiseptic additive” refers to one or moreadditives that can be added to the water to kill, control, or preventmites, bacteria and their spores, fungi, molds, mildew and viruses,prolonging the service time of the media and stop the spread ordistribution of pathogens that cause infectious diseases, such astuberculosis or influenza. Examples include antimicrobial agents,bactericides, fungicides, and anti-viral agents, such as bleach,quaternary ammonium salts, ortho-phthalaldehyde and the like.Non-limiting examples of antiseptic additives are bleach, hydrogenperoxide, hydrogen peroxide adducts, strong acids and their dilutedsolution, strong bases and their diluted solutions, ortho-phthalaldehyde(OPA), glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, povidone-iodine (PVP-I), iodine,iodophores, quaternary ammonium compounds (Quats or QACs), polyquatssuch as polyquaternium-42, quaternium-15, chlorhexidine gluconate,alcohols (ethanol, isopropyl alcohol), perchlorometaxylenol, andtriclosan. or a combination of the materials.

Additives also include preservatives which can act to preventdegradation of the liquid/additive mixtures by chemical, photochemical,or biological means. Some common preservatives include: Acetic Acid,Benzoic Acid, Citric Acid, Citric Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides,Calcium Propionate, Erythorbic Acid, Ethyl lauroyl arginate, lacticacid, Methyl-p-hydroxy Benzoate, Methyl Paraben, Natamycin, PotassiumBenzoate, Potassium Bisulphite, Potassium Lactate, PotassiumMetabisulphite, Potassium Nitrate, Potassium Nitrite, Propyl-p-hydroxyBenzoate, Propyl Paraben, Propionic Acid, silver nanoparticles, SodiumAcetate, Sodium Ascorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Bisulphite, SodiumDiacetate, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Metabisulphite,Sodium Nitrate, Sodium Nitrite, Sodium Propionate, Sodium Salt ofMethyl-p-hydroxy Benzoic Acid, Sodium Salt of Propyl-p-hydroxy BenzoicAcid, Sodium Sorbate, Sodium Sulphite, Sodium Dithionite, Sorbic Acid,Sulphurous Acid, and Tartaric Acid.

Natural food antimicrobials compounds can be also consideredpreservatives as well. Examples of these compounds areLacto-antimicrobials, Ovo-antimicrobials, phyto-antimicrobials,bactor-antimicrobials, acid-antimicrobials, Milieu-antimicrobials.

Natural antimicrobial compounds can be used such as berberine and manyother antimicrobial or antiviral compounds from natural sources fromplants or microorganisms. The crude plant materials containing theantimicrobial compounds can be used directly. These materials can besolids or powders that can be added into water volume in the cold waterbath or baths.

“Phase change materials” refers to any material which can absorb heatinto its structure and melts from a solid phase to a liquid phase. Thephase changing temperature is preferred to be in the range of 2-10degrees Celsius for precise and stable water and air temperaturecontrol. A phase change material can be any pure material including:paraffin wax of 14 carbon atoms, paraffin wax of 15 carbon atoms, formicacid, peanut oil or any other pure material that has melting temperaturein the range of 2-10 degrees Celsius. The phase changing material couldalso be a mixture of two or more materials that have a phase changingtemperature in the range of 2-10 degrees Celsius including a mixture oftetradecane and hexadecane. The phase changing material (PCM) can be inbulk form or encapsulated. The encapsulated phase changing materials canbe placed in the cold water bath to stabilize its temperature. Otherforms of encapsulation are possible including jackets of PCM, slabs ofPCM or tubes of PCM. The above examples are stated as a few non-limitingexamples.

As used herein, the term “fan” refers to any device capable of movingair in a manner that allows for efficient mixing of the air in theenclosed space. Such devices include air water pumps, air compressors,fans, or blowers. The fans require an electric power source, such as ACpower or DC power, and which may be supplied by batteries, fuel cells,rechargeable batteries, electrochemical batteries as non-limitingexamples, and circuitry for selectively controlling the fan. The devicemay transfer air by means of adding positive pressure (“water pumping”)or by exerting negative pressure (“sucking”) in order to cause air toflow in the desired fashion.

As used herein, the terms “tube” and “tubing” refer to a means fortransferring air, such as a hoses, tubing (ex. rubber, polyurethane), orpipes (metal or PVC). The tubing may optionally be treated to inhibitmicrobial colonization on the tubing's inner surface or to resistdegradation from mildew, algae, fungi and biofilms, such as that sold byActifresh Antimicrobial Polyethylene tubing,https://www.theperfectwater.com/antimicrobial-Tubing.html.

The air intake ports, air outlet ports and air vents may be constructedof ductwork, rubber, plastic or polymer, as non-limiting examples. Theair intake ports, air outlet ports and air vents of the disclosure maysupport fans and may include sensors for measuring air temperature,relative humidity and particulate matter content.

A “cyclonic vessel” is a scrubber device which uses spiral air flow anda water spray to remove particles from a gaseous or liquid carryingmedium. A water stream enters the top or side of a truncated cone shapedvessel and passes through the holes of a spray ring. The water isdirected by the spray ring to the sides of the vessel. Particle ladenair enters an air inlet tangentially to an inner chamber, swirls throughthe chamber in a cyclonic motion which forces heavier particles to thesides of the vessel, where they are carried by the water spray to a poolof water in the truncated cone end. The air is forced to swirl downward,reverse direction, and return upward in a tighter spiral. The purifiedair enters a flue tube, moves to the top of the vessel and exits throughan air outlet port. A cyclonic vessel of the type described above isshown in FIG. 11 . Other cyclonic vessels applicable to the disclosureare found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,696,326; 4,922,691; and/or 7,115,155.

Additionally, the motion of the air within the cyclonic vessel may beassisted by fans at the air inlet and air outlet ports. Further, thespray ring may have a motor which turns the ring to assist the sprayingeffect.

FIG. 1A shows a graph of absolute humidity versus temperature insaturated air. Absolute humidity is the measure of the water vaporcontent in the air, expressed as grams of moisture per cubic meter ofair (g/m³).

The maximum absolute humidity of warm air at 30° C./86° F. isapproximately 30 g of water vapor, expressed as 30 g/m³. The maximumabsolute humidity of cold air at 0° C./32° F. is approximately 5 g ofwater vapor, or 5 g/m³.

Relative humidity also measures water vapor but relative to thetemperature of the air. It is expressed as the amount of water vapor inthe air as a percentage of the maximum amount of vapor that could beheld at its current temperature.

Warm air can hold far more moisture than cold air meaning that therelative humidity of cold air is far higher than warm air if theirabsolute humidity levels are equal.

FIG. 1B shows a graph of absolute humidity versus temperature in therange of 0-10 degrees Celsius, when the relative humidity is at 100%. Inthis range, the graph shows an approximately linear relationship betweentemperature and absolute humidity.

FIG. 2A depicts how relative humidity varies with temperature for anabsolute humidity of 6.8 g/m³. An absolute humidity of 6.8 g/m³ equals100% relative humidity at 5 degrees Celsius. The temperature range isdefined for a range commonly found comfortable in living quarters.Between the temperatures of 18-25 degrees Celsius, the relative humidityfalls with increasing temperature and the relationship is approximatelylinear.

Referring back to FIG. 1B, an absolute humidity of 6.8 g/m³ falls in theregion of 5-6 degrees Celsius. Thus, setting the absolute humidity ofthe air to 6.8 g/m³ will yield a relative humidity of 30-45% when theair temperature is in the range of 18-25 degrees Celsius, as shown inFIG. 2A and FIG. 2B. When the air temperature is set to 20 degreesCelsius, then the corresponding relative humidity is approximately 40%.

Referring to FIG. 2B and back to FIG. 1B, an absolute humidity of 9.3g/m³ falls in the region of 9.8 degrees Celsius. Setting the absolutehumidity of the air to 9.3 g/m³ will yield a relative humidity of 50%when the air temperature is about 21 degrees Celsius. More generally,setting the absolute humidity of the air to 9.3 g/m³ will yield arelative humidity of 40-60% when the air temperature is in the range of18-25 degrees Celsius.

The invention described below in the exemplary embodiments seeks to usethe relationship between absolute humidity, relative humidity andtemperature as shown above.

Air is saturated at a temperature of 4-10 degrees Celsius and thesaturated air is then heated to room temperature (18-25 degreesCelsius). This produces air of relative humidity 40-60%. Due to theapproximately linear relationship between humidity and temperature inthis range, a high degree of control of the humidity in the air can beaccomplished through controlling the water bath temperature and ensuringsaturation of air at the water bath temperature. This method enableshumidification control independent of the input air relative humidity.

FIG. 3 shows the first embodiment of the hybrid humidity control and airpurification device 300. The device includes a cyclonic vessel 340, acold water bath 360, a heating chamber 370, a heat pump compressor 380,a water pump 396, a secondary heater 337, an environmental air intakeport 332, an air outlet vent 334 and a controller 350. An optionalenclosure 330 may support the components of the device.

The environmental air intake port 332 includes a first controllable fan,a first relative humidity sensor (RH, 312 a), a first temperature sensor(T, 312 b) and a first particulate matter sensor (PM_(2.5), 312 c).

The environmental air outlet vent 334 has a second controllable fan, asecond relative humidity sensor 314 a, a second temperature sensor 314b, and a second particulate matter sensor 314 c.

The cyclonic vessel 340 has a cyclonic vessel air intake port 344connected to the environmental air intake port 332; a cyclonic vesselair outlet port 342 including a third controllable fan, the cyclonicvessel air outlet port 342 connected to the first end of a cyclonicvessel air outlet tube 336; a first water level sensor 316; and acontrollable cyclonic vessel motor 346 for rotating a spray ring 347.

The cold water bath 360 includes a cold water bath air intake port toreceive the second end of the cyclonic vessel air outlet tube 336; avolume of water 364; a cooling coil 384 located in the volume of water;a second water level sensor 318 a, a third temperature sensor 318 b anda first water quality sensor 318 c located within the volume of water; amicrobubbling filter 362 connected to the second end of the cyclonicvessel air outlet tube 336; an optional encapsulated phase changematerial; a volume of air 366 located above the volume of water; a coldwater bath air outlet port 368 located above the volume of air, the coldwater bath air outlet port including a fourth controllable fan; the coldwater bath air outlet port connected to the first end of a cold waterbath air outlet tube 338.

Optionally, the microbubbling filter 362 and volume of water 364 may bereplaced and/or supplemented by a nozzle which sprays water in the coldwater bath chamber, thus entraining water droplets into the air of thechamber. As the environmental air passes from the cyclonic vessel airoutlet tube 336, through the water droplets and into the cold water bathair outlet port, the humidity of the environmental airincreases/decreases to match the humidity of the air in the cold waterbath air volume.

Optionally, the upper part of the cold water bath which encloses the airvolume may include a spray nozzle for spraying water, which entrainswater droplets into the volume of air. As the environmental air passesfrom the microbubbling filter, through the water droplets and into thecold water bath air outlet port, the humidity of the environmental airincreases/decreases to optionally match the humidity of the air in thecold water bath air volume.

The heating chamber 370 includes a heating chamber air intake port 378for receiving the second end of the cold water bath air outlet tube 338;a support 372, wherein the support is connected to the second end of thesecond air outlet tube 338; a heating coil 374; wherein the heatingchamber is connected to the environmental air outlet vent 334.

The heat pump comprises a compressor 380 which has a controllablecompressor motor (not shown), wherein the compressor is connected to thecooling coil 384, a variable expansion valve 382, and the heating coil374, wherein the variable expansion valve is connected between thecooling coil 384 and the heating coil 374.

The controller has circuitry connected to and configured to control thefans; the compressor motor and the variable expansion valve 382. Thecontroller may include a microprocessor, one or more memory units, aswitching network, a remote control panel and a communications networkand antenna for communicating with wireless sensors and/or outsidecommunications. An exemplary controller will be described in more detailbelow.

The controller is further connected to and has circuitry configured toreceive wired or wireless signals from the particulate matter sensors(312 c, 314 c), the relative humidity sensors (312 a, 314 a), thetemperature sensors (312 b, 314 b, 318 b), the water quality sensor 318c, and the water level sensors (316, 318 a).

The controller circuitry is further configured to control the relativehumidity, temperature and air quality of the air expelled through theenvironmental air outlet vent, based on the signals 352 received fromthe sensors.

In a non-limiting example, the temperature sensors and relative humiditysensors may be separate units or may be combined in one unit, such asthose manufactured by Swift Sensors,https://www.swiftsensors.com/product-category/sensors/. The sensors maybe wired or wireless, and may contain batteries or be directly connectedto a power source in the controller. The sensors may communicate withthe controller through a wired or wireless connection, as is indicatedat 352 in FIG. 3 .

In a non-limiting example, the particulate matter sensors of thedisclosure may be of the type manufactured by Aeroqual,https://www.aeroqual.com/product/particulate-matter-sensor-pm10_pm2-5.Aeroqual's PM Sensor Head offers precision active sampling, Fast T90response time, humidity compensation, K factor adjustment and iscompatible with a wide range of gaseous measurements.

In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 , the cold water bath (360)of the first embodiment is modified to comprise a first cold water bath460 a and a second cold water bath 460 b. The enclosure (330, 430),cyclonic vessel (340, 440), heat pump, secondary heater (337, 437), andheating chamber (370, 470) are essentially the same as those shown inFIG. 3 .

The first cold water bath 460 a includes a first cold water bath airintake port configured to receive the second end of the cyclonic vesselair outlet tube (322, 422); a first volume of water 464 a; a firstcooling coil 484 a located in the first volume of water; a second waterlevel sensor 418 a, a third temperature sensor 418 b and a first waterquality sensor 418 c located within the first volume of water; a firstmicrobubbling filter 462 a connected to the second end of the cyclonicvessel air outlet tube (322, 422); a first volume of air 466 a locatedabove the first volume of water 464 a; a first cold water bath airoutlet port 468 a located above the first volume of air, the first coldwater bath air outlet port 468 a including a fourth controllable fan;the first cold water bath air outlet port connected to the first end ofa first cold water bath air outlet tube 424.

The second cold water bath 460 b includes a first chamber 465 a whichhas a second cold water bath air intake port configured to receive thesecond end of the first cold water bath air outlet tube 424; a phasechange material, a fourth temperature sensor 419 b, a second coolingcoil 484 b; a cooling loop 463 having a first end and a second end,wherein the second end of the first cold water bath air outlet tube 424is connected to the first end of the cooling loop 463; a second chamber465 b, located above the first chamber 465 a, wherein the second chambercontains a second volume of water 464 b, a third water level sensor 419a, a second microbubbling filter 462 b fluidly connected to the secondend of the cooling loop 463; a second volume of air 466 b located abovethe second volume of water 464 b, and a second cold water bath airoutlet port 468 b including a fifth controllable fan, wherein the secondcold water bath air outlet port is connected to the first end of asecond cold water bath air outlet tube 426.

The heat pump comprises a compressor 480 which has a controllablecompressor motor (not shown), wherein the compressor is connected to thefirst cooling coil 484 a, the second cooling coil 484 b, a variableexpansion valve 482, and a heating coil (374, 474), wherein the variableexpansion valve 482 is connected between the second cooling coil 484 band the heating coil 474. The controller 450 has circuitry connected toand configured to control the controllable fans; the compressor motorand the variable expansion valve 482.

The controller is further connected to and has circuitry configured toreceive signals from the particulate matter sensors (412 c, 414 c), therelative humidity sensors (412 a, 414 a), the temperature sensors (412b, 414 b, 418 b, 419 b), the water quality sensor 418 c, and the waterlevel sensors (416, 418 a, 419 a) as shown by arrow 452.

The controller circuitry is further configured to control the relativehumidity, temperature and air quality of the air expelled through theenvironmental air outlet vent based on the signals 452 received from thesensors.

The microbubbling filter, also known as a micro sparger, has micronsized pores which break the air into micron sized bubbles, thusincreasing the surface area of the air. This results in a higher uptakeof water molecules into the air, thus increasing the humidity of the airflow. In a non-limiting example, the microbubbling filters (362, 462 a,462 b) are of the type manufactured by Mott Corporation, 84 Spring Lane,Farmington, Conn., USA,https://mottcorp.com/sites/default/files/HPBIOMICRO_1.pdf.

The variable expansion valve (382, 482) described above is of the typewhich is electrically actuated by a controller. In a non-limitingexample, valves of this type are of the SER series manufactured byParker Hannifin, Cortonwood Drive, Brampton, Barnsley S73 OUF—UnitedKingdom. The SER, SERI and SEHI are Electronically Operated Step Motorflow control valves, intended for the precise control of liquidrefrigerant flow. Synchronized signals to the motor provide discreteangular movement, which translate into precise linear positioning of thevalve piston. Valve pistons and ports are uniquely characterized,providing extraordinary flow resolution and performance. The SER, SERIand SEHI valves are easily interfaced with microprocessor basedcontrollers.

Water quality sensors measure the amount of total dissolved solids (TDS)in the water. TDS is measured in parts per million. TDS tell how manyunits of impurities there are for one million units of water. Forexample, drinking water should be less than 500 ppm, water foragriculture should be less than 1200 ppm, and high tech manufacturesoften require impurity-free water. In a non-limiting example, waterquality sensors of this type are manufactured by Stevens WaterMonitoring Systems, Inc. 12067 N E Glenn Widing Drive, Suite 106,Portland, Oreg., USA, 97220.https://www.stevenswater.com/news-and-articles/water-quality-sensors-overview/.

In a non-limiting example, water level sensors of the type used in thedevice can be MPM489 W Level Transmitter, manufactured by Micro SensorCo., LTD No. 18, Yingda Road Baoji, P.R. China 721006.https://www.sensor-test.de/ausstellerbereich/upload/mnpdf/en/MPM489W_datasheet2012_14.pdf

The enclosure is constructed of at least one of plastic, fiberglass,steel, copper, aluminum, Styrofoam, or any structural material capableof supporting the components within the enclosure. The enclosure issized to contain the components of the hybrid humidity and air purifyingdevice in a single unit.

However, the enclosure is optional in a more distributed system, such asfor large scale systems. The enclosure may also be optional where spacelimitations make it desirable to place components of the device inseparated locations. Further, the enclosure is optional in adapting thehybrid humidity control and air purification device as an aftermarketproduct to an existing housing.

In the first and second embodiments, the enclosure (330, 430) furtherincludes an optional controllable ultraviolet light (376, 476), and thecontroller actuates the optional controllable ultraviolet light based onthe measurements of the at least one water quality sensor. The enclosuremay include a plurality of ultraviolet lights for selectivelyilluminating the cold water baths and/or heating chamber.

Using an ultraviolet (UV) light has several advantages. As air istransferred into or out of the enclosure, the UV light can beilluminated to disinfect the air. Further, the ultraviolet light can beilluminated to disinfect the water in either of the cold water baths.

In the first and second embodiments, the enclosure (330, 430) furtherincludes a water pumping system (390, 490), which comprises a pluralityof water inlet ports (395, 495) and a plurality of water outlet ports(393, 493), each water inlet port having a first end connected to afirst end of a controllable water inlet valve (391, 491) of a pluralityof water inlet valves; wherein the second end of each controllable waterinlet valve is connected to a water source (W); wherein each wateroutlet port (393, 493) is connected to the first end of a controllablewater outlet valve (392, 492) of a plurality of controllable wateroutlet valves.

In the first and second embodiments, the cyclonic vessel (340, 440)includes a first water inlet port (395 a, 495 a) connected to a secondend of a first water inlet valve (391 a, 491 a) of the plurality ofcontrollable water inlet valves (391, 491); a first water outlet port(393 a, 493 a) connected to the second end of a first water outlet valve(392 a, 492 a) of the plurality of controllable water outlet valves(392, 492).

In the first and second embodiments, the water pumping system (390, 490)further comprises: a water pump (396, 496) and wherein the second end ofeach of the plurality of controllable water outlet valves (392, 492) isconnected to the first end of the pump and the second end of the waterpump is connected to a water disposal (398, 498). The water source maybe any of a water bottle, water pipe, such as from a city water line.The water disposal may be any of a water collection bottle or a sewerline. The controller has circuitry connected to and configured tocontrol the optional lint grinder and the water pump to flush the waterinto the water disposal.

In a non-limiting example, the water pump may be of the typeVCC-20ULS-230 manufactured by Franklin electric Company, Inc., P.O. Box12010, Oklahoma City, Okla., USA. This water pump is 12 inches long by 5inches wide by 5 inches high, operates at 230 VAC, and has a reservoircapacity of 0.25 gallons.

The water pump may be combined with an optional lint grinder. This typeof water pump has a reservoir for holding the wastewater. Once thewastewater inside the water pump reaches a specific level, the waterpump will turn on, grind the waste into a fine slurry, and water pump itto the water disposal. In a non-limiting example, this type of waterpump may be of the type 400700 manufactured by BurCam, 2190 DagenaisBlvd. West, Laval, Quebec, Canada.

In the situation where the enclosure is eliminated, the environmentalair intake port (332, 432) is combined with the cyclonic vessel airintake port (344, 444); the air outlet vent (334, 434) is supported bythe heating chamber housing (336, 436), the water inlet ports connectedto the cyclonic vessel, first cold water bath and second cold waterbath, support the water inlet valves. The water outlet ports (393, 493)support the water outlet valves (392, 492). The water pump, heat pumpsystem and controller can stand alone.

Referring to the first embodiment shown by FIG. 3 , the cold water bathincludes a second water inlet port 395 b connected to a second waterinlet valve 391 b of the plurality of controllable water inlet valves; asecond water outlet port 393 b connected to a second water outlet valve392 b of the plurality of controllable water outlet valves; wherein thecontroller includes circuitry connected to and configured to control thewater inlet valves and the water outlet valves, as shown by arrow 351.

Referring to the second embodiment shown by FIG. 4 , the first coldwater bath includes a second water inlet port connected to a secondwater inlet valve 491 b of the plurality of controllable water inletvalves; a second water outlet port 493 b connected to a first end of asecond water outlet valve 492 b of the plurality of controllable wateroutlet valves.

The second chamber includes a third water inlet port connected to athird water inlet valve 491 c of the plurality of controllable waterinlet valves; a third water outlet port 493 c connected to a first endof a third water outlet valve 492 c of the plurality of controllablewater outlet valves.

The controller has circuitry configured to control the water inletvalves and the water outlet valves based on the signals received fromthe water level sensors 418 a, 419 a and water quality sensor 418 c.

In the first and second embodiments, the water in the cold water bath(s)may comprise an antiseptic additive. The antiseptic additive may be atleast one of bleach, hydrogen peroxide, hydrogen peroxide adducts,strong acids and their diluted solution, strong bases and their dilutedsolutions, sodium chloride, ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA), glutaraldehyde,formaldehyde, povidone-iodine (PVP-I), iodine, iodophores, quaternaryammonium compounds (Quats or QACs), polyquats such as polyquaternium-42,quaternium-15, chlorhexidine gluconate, alcohols (ethanol, isopropylalcohol), perchlorometaxylenol, and triclosan or a combination of thematerials.

Sodium chloride, for example, is bacteriostatic and is a safe andeconomical method to control microorganism growth in the air when usedby the methods described herein. For example, bacteria such as TB, SARSviruses such as influenza, and mold will not be able to grow in theconcentrated sodium chloride solution. This is extremely important forcontrol of seasonal viruses such as flu.

In a third embodiment, a method for hybrid humidity control and airpurification is described.

The method is first described with respect to FIG. 3 . The method beginsby turning on a controller 350 and receiving environmental air at afirst air intake port 332 fluidly connected to a cyclonic vessel 340 byactuating a first fan located within the first air intake port;providing a water stream in the cyclonic vessel by actuating a firstwater inlet valve 391 a connected to a water inlet port 395 a located inthe cyclonic vessel; spinning the environmental air and water stream byadjusting the motor speed of a motor 346 located within the cyclonicvessel, wherein spinning the environmental air propels particulates inthe environmental air into the water stream, thus purifying the air andgenerating a purified air stream; expelling the purified air stream fromthe cyclonic vessel into a first air tube 336 by actuating a second fanlocated within a first air output port 342 in the cyclonic vessel.

The method continues by receiving the air tube at a second air intakeport located in a first cold water bath 360; fluidly connecting thesecond air intake port to a first microbubbling filter 362 located intemperature controlled cold water 364; the microbubbling filterseparating the purified air stream into microbubbles. The microbubblesthen evaporate into a first air volume 366 located above the cold waterbath.

The temperature of the water 364 within the first cold water bath 360 isset by controlling the motor speed of a compressor 380 connected to acooling coil 384 located within the cold water bath. Controlling thetemperature of the water 364 in the cold water bath controls theabsolute humidity of the air as it evaporates into the air volume. Therelative humidity will be 100% when the water temperature is kept to 9.8degrees Celsius. This value corresponds to a relative humidity of 50% at21 degrees Celsius, which is the desired relative humidity of theoutgoing air, as shown by FIG. 2B.

The method continues by expelling the humidified purified air streamfrom the first air volume 366 into a cold water bath air tube 338 byactuating a third fan located within a third air output port 368 locatedwithin the cold water bath; receiving the cold water bath air tube at aheating chamber air intake port 378 located in the sidewall of a heatingchamber 370. Passage of the cold water bath air tube into the heatingchamber warms the humidified air stream.

The higher temperature in the heating chamber is due to heat sourcessuch as heat generated by the compressor motor, heat dispelled fromincoming (hot) air, heat dispelled from the excess humidity of theincoming air, when the air is too humid at the intake port, heatdispelled from incoming (cold) air, and heat generated by evaporatingoverly humid incoming water vapor to the air. The air conditioningsystem of the room or building restores the air temperature to thedesired range, preferably 21-23 degrees Celsius. In this temperaturerange, the air will be at the desired humidity of 50%.

Further temperature control can be achieved by adjusting the expansionvalve. In a preferred design, the temperature in the cold water bath isset to remain at 5 degrees Celsius. In another design, the temperaturein the cold water bath is set to remain at 9.8 degrees Celsius.Adjusting the expansion valve raises or lowers the pressure of thecoolant entering the coils. If the temperature in the cold water bath istoo high when compared to a setpoint, the expansion valve pressure islowered, which results in lowering the temperature of the coolant in thecoil. If the temperature of the outgoing air is too low when compared toa setpoint, the expansion valve pressure must be increased to increasethe temperature of the coolant in the coil.

The method continues by expelling the humidified air stream into theenvironment by actuating an exit fan located within air output vent 334connected to the heating chamber.

The method is carried out by a controller 350 configured to receivesignals 352 from sensors (312 a,b,c, 316, 318 a,b,c, 314 a,b,c) in theenclosure 330, the cyclonic vessel 340, the first cold water bath 360and the air intake port 344 and air output vent 334. The controlleractuates the fans, actuates the water valves, adjusts the cyclonicvessel motor speed, controls the motor speed of the compressor, andcontrols the expansion valve based on the signals received from thesensors.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the cold water bath may include a first cold waterbath 460 a, essentially similar to the first cold water bath 360 of FIG.3 , and a second cold water bath 460 b, the second cold water bathhaving a first chamber 465 a containing a phase change material, asecond cooling coil 484 b and a cooling loop 463; and a second chamber365 b containing a second volume of water 464 b, a second microbubblingfilter 462 b, and a second volume of air 366 b located above the secondvolume of water 364 b.

The method further comprises receiving the purified humidified air intothe first chamber through an extension of the tube 424 which isconnected to a first end of the cooling loop 463; passing the purifiedhumidified air through the cooling loop due to the action the fan inport 468 a; separating the purified humidified purified air by passingthe purified humidified air through the second microbubbling filter 462b which is connected the second end of the cooling loop, themicrobubbling filter 462 b immersed in the second volume of water 464 bin the second chamber 465 b; the microbubbles evaporating into thesecond air volume 466 b; and expelling the humidified purified airstream from the second air volume into a second cold water bath air tube426 by actuating a fourth fan in a fourth air output port 468 b locatedwithin the second chamber.

The second cold water bath enables an additional temperature control ofthe humidity of the second air volume. By using the phase changematerial in the second cold water bath, the temperature of the secondvolume of water is stabilized, as excess heat or coldness of the wateror the air is absorbed by the phase change material. This refinedtemperature control enables highly stable temperature control. Thedesign temperature setpoint can be selected to be 5 degrees Celsius. Atthis temperature, the water cannot support biological growth. When thewater in 464 b is at 5 degrees Celsius, the relative humidity of the airexiting the device will be controlled to within a range of 32-37%, whenthe environmental temperature is in the range of 21-23 degrees Celsius.The phase change material may be encapsulated and changes phase at 5degrees Celsius.

Environmental and clinical literature does not specify an ideal relativehumidity setting for the human body. The recommended relative humidityis within 25-60%, with some indication that 40% is a better valuecompared to 30% from physiological perspective.

If desired, the device can be set to produce air at a humidity level of50% at 21 degrees Celsius. In this situation, the design temperaturesetpoint is selected to be 9.8 degrees Celsius. In this situation, thephase change material should be one which changes phase at 9.8 degreesCelsius, for best temperature stabilization. The relative humidity ofthe air exiting the device will thus be controlled to within a range of47-53%, when the environmental temperature is in the range of 20-22degrees Celsius. In general, water bath temperature and theenvironmental air temperature both determine the relative humidity. Thisinvention provides the ability to set the relative humidity of theoutgoing air based on the water bath temperature.

When the temperature setpoint in the cold water bath is set above 5degrees Celsius, biological growth in the water is a concern. Biologicalgrowth can be controlled by adding an antiseptic to the water,irradiating the water with ultraviolet light (376, 476), or periodicheating by secondary heater (337, 437) of the cyclonic vessel and coldwater baths to sterilize the devices, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and asdescribed below.

The second cold water bath includes a fourth temperature sensor 419 blocated in the first chamber 465 a. The controller is configured tocontrol the temperature of the first chamber, based on signals 452received from the temperature sensor 419 b, by controlling the motorspeed of the compressor 480 connected to the second cooling coil 484 b.

The first air intake port (332, 432) further comprises a firsttemperature sensor (312 b, 412 b), a first relative humidity sensor (312a, 412 a) and a first particulate sensor (312 c, 412 c), the first fanhaving an adjustable speed, wherein the controller has circuitryconfigured for measuring the particulate matter, the temperature and therelative humidity of the environmental air entering the cyclonic vesseland for adjusting the fan speed, based on signals received from thesensors. For example, if the environmental air has a high particulatematter content, the fan speed should be lowered, in order to decreasethe amount of air entering the enclosure. This will allow the air toremain in the cyclonic vessel for a longer time which will result incleaner air.

The cyclonic vessel further includes a first water level sensor (316,416) and a first water outlet valve (392 a, 492 a), the controller (350,450) actuating the valves based on signals (352, 452) received from thefirst water level sensor.

The cold water bath further includes a second water inlet valve (391 b,491 b), a second water outlet valve (392 b, 393 b), a second temperaturesensor (318 b, 418 b), a second water level sensor (318 a, 418 a) and afirst water quality sensor (318 c, 418 c); the method comprisingmeasuring the water temperature, the water level, and the water quality;controlling the second water inlet valve, the second water outlet valve,the water level and the water quality based on signals received fromsecond water level and first water quality sensors; and controlling themotor speed of the compressor and the motor speed of the fans based onthe signals received from the temperature sensors.

The enclosure air output vent (334, 434) includes an air output venttemperature sensor (314 b, 414 b) and a second relative humidity sensor(314 a, 414 a). The method includes the controller adjusting thevariable expansion valve (382, 482) based on signals 352 received fromthe air outlet vent temperature sensor and the second relative humiditysensor.

In further detail as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the cyclonic vessel (340,440) includes a first water outlet valve (392 a, 492 a); the first coldwater bath (360, 464 a) further includes a first water quality sensor(318 c, 418 c), a second water level sensor (318 a, 418 a), a secondwater inlet valve (391 b, 491 b) and a second water outlet valve (392 b,492 b); further, the water pump is connected to the water outlet valvesand to a sewer line 498 or water collection bottle.

The method further includes the controller actuating (see arrow 451connected to the controller indicating control signals transmitted bythe controller) the water inlet and water outlet valves, and the waterpump based on signals (352, 452) received from the water level and waterquality sensors.

The method includes thermally insulating the heating chamber from thecooling water bath by constructing a housing 436 surrounding the heatingchamber 470, the housing including a double walled heat shield locatedaround the heating chamber, the heat shield comprising thermallyinsulative material between the walls. Top, bottom, side and rear wallsare all formed so that they are between ¼ inch and 2 inches thick.Preferably all of the walls are 1 inch thick. The thickness of all ofthe walls is also preferably substantially uniform throughout the entirejacket 16. However, the thickness of the walls of the housing (336, 436)should be sized in accordance with the dimensions of the hybrid humiditycontrol and air purification device. A large installation, such as afactory, would require much greater dimensions for the hybrid humiditycontrol and air purification device than a single room in a personalresidence.

Thermally insulative materials can include at least one or a combinationof fiberglass, wool, glasswool, ceramic, cellulose, natural fibers,polystyrene, polyisocyanurate, polyurethane, vermiculite, perlite, foam.

The walls of the housing (336, 436) can be constructed of steel,fiberglass, plastic, cardboard, drywall, particle board, or any othermaterial appropriate to providing a structure for holding the thermallyinsulative materials.

Alternatively, the housing (336, 436) can be an insulation jacket, suchas the type shown by U.S. patent application 2008/0156788. Such a jacketis formed of any one or more of a variety of different types ofinsulating materials, such as fiberglass, mineral wool, refractoryceramic fiber (RCF), body soluble fiber (Non-RCF), silica fiber,mullite, or any other low density insulation material that ranges from 1pound per cubic foot to 20 pounds per cubic foot.

An optional second housing having double walled insulation (not shown),as described for the first housing (336, 446), can be constructed tosurround the cold water bath in the first embodiment or the cold waterbaths in the second embodiment. The second housing would allow thedevice to operate more efficiently, thus saving energy.

Also within the enclosure (330, 430) is a secondary heater (337, 437)having a heating control switch. The secondary heater is used toinitiate a sterilization cycle when the water becomes contaminated byalgae growth or other contaminants. The controller includes circuitryconfigured for initiating the sterilization cycle by actuating theheating control switch to raise the temperature in the enclosure to atemperature range of 60-100 degrees Celsius for a time period based onthe measurement of the water quality sensors (318 c, 418 c).

The controller comprises circuitry configured for the followingselectable control modes: (i) controlling the temperature of the waterwithin the cold water bath to within a range of 9-10 degrees Celsius,and controlling the relative humidity of the humidified purified airstream expelled into the environment to within the range of 45-55%; (ii)controlling the temperature of the water within the cold water bath towithin a range of 4.5-5 degrees Celsius and controlling the relativehumidity of the humidified purified air stream expelled into theenvironment to within the range of 30-50%; (iii) controlling thetemperature of the water within the cold water bath to a range of 4.5-10degrees Celsius and controlling the relative humidity of the humidifiedpurified air stream expelled into the environment to within a range of30-60%; and (iv) heating the humidified purified air stream expelledinto the environment. For best control of the humidity of the expelledair, the environmental air is assumed to be kept within a temperaturerange of 21-23 degrees Celsius by a separate room or building airconditioning system, which is not part of the present disclosure.

The second embodiment as shown by FIG. 4 is now described in moredetail.

The hybrid humidity control and air purification device, comprises: anenclosure 430 including; a cyclonic vessel 440 having a controllablemotor 446; a cold water bath which includes a first cold water bath 460a containing a first volume of water 464 a, a first microbubbling filter462 a immersed in the first volume of water, a first cooling coil 484 aand a first volume of air 466 a; a second cold water bath 460 b, whereinthe second cold water bath includes a first chamber 465 a including asecond cooling coil 484 b, a cooling loop 463 and a phase changematerial which fills the first chamber, and a second chamber 465 b. Theenclosure further includes a heating chamber 470, which has heating coil474 and which may be surrounded by a double wall 436 filled with thermalinsulation; wherein an expansion valve 482 is located between a secondcooling coil 484 b and the heating coil 474, wherein the first coolingcoil is immersed in the first volume of water, the second cooling coilis placed in the phase change material and the heating coil is locatedin the heating chamber; a water level controlling system includingcontrollable water inlet valves 491 and water outlet valves 492 in eachof the cyclonic vessel, the first cold water bath, and the secondchamber; a water pumping system 490 to flush water from the cyclonicvessel, the first cold water bath, and the second chamber; an air movingsystem which includes: air intake ports and air output ports locatedwithin the enclosure, the cyclonic vessel, the first cold water bath andthe second chamber; the air intake and air output ports including fans;first air tubing 422 connected between the air output port of thecyclonic vessel and the air input port of the first cold water bath;second air tubing connected between the air input port of the first coldwater bath and the first microbubbling filter; third air tubing 424connected between the air output port of the first cold water bath andthe air intake port of the first chamber; fourth air tubing connectedbetween the first chamber and the first end of the cooling loop 463;fifth air tubing connected between the second end of the cooling loopand the second microbubbling filter; sixth air tubing 426 connectedbetween the air output port of the second chamber and the air intakeport of the heating chamber; seventh air tubing connected between theair intake port of the heating chamber and a support bracket 472 withinthe heating chamber; a first set of sensors for measuring particulatematter, relative humidity and temperature of the air in the enclosure; asecond set of sensors for measuring the water level in the cyclonicvessel, and the water level, water quality and temperature of the waterin the first and second cold water baths; a controller 450 havingcircuitry connected to and configured to control the controllable fans,the compressor motor, the controllable valves, the cyclonic vesselcontrollable motor; wherein the controller is further connected to andhas circuitry configured to receive signals 452 from the sensors;wherein the controller circuitry is further configured to control therelative humidity, temperature and air quality of the air expelledthrough the environmental air outlet vent based on the signals receivedfrom the sensors.

Next, an exemplary flow chart of a method for calibrating the hybridcontrol and air purification device is described with respect to theflowchart shown in FIG. 5 .

The method starts at S500 by turning on a switch connected to thecontroller. At S502 a the controller controls the water level in thecyclonic vessel by comparing the water level to a first water levelthreshold level; actuating a first water outlet valve and a water pumpwhen the water level is higher than the first water level threshold atS504 a; and actuating a first water inlet valve connected to a watersource when the water level is lower than the first water levelthreshold as shown at S506 a.

The method continues by controlling the water level in the first coldwater bath by comparing the water level to a second water levelthreshold level at S502 b; actuating a second water outlet valve and awater pump when the second water level is higher than the second waterlevel threshold at S504 b; actuating a second water inlet valveconnected to a water source when the second water level is lower thanthe second water level threshold at S506 b.

The water level in a second cold water bath is compared to a third waterlevel threshold level at S502 c. The method controls the water level byactuating a third water outlet valve and a water pump when the thirdwater level is higher than the third water level threshold at S504 c;and actuating a third water inlet valve connected to a water source whenthe third water level is lower than the third water level threshold atS506 c.

Next, a water quality check is done. The controller starts by comparingthe water quality in the first cold water bath to a first water qualitythreshold at S508 a; flushing the first cold water bath by actuating thewater outlet valve, actuating a water pump including an optional lintgrinder when the water quality above the first water quality thresholdat S510 a, then actuating the second water inlet valve to refill thefirst cold water bath at S506 b; actuating a heating control switch on asecondary heating coil to enable a sterilization cycle at S512 a, andadding an antiseptic additive to the cold water bath when the waterquality is below the first water quality threshold but above a secondwater quality threshold at S514 a.

S508 b demonstrates controlling water quality in the second cold waterbath by comparing the water quality in the second cold water bath to thefirst water quality threshold; flushing the second cold water bath byactuating the third water outlet valve, then actuating the water pumpwhen the water quality above the first water quality threshold at S510b, then actuating the third water inlet valve to refill the second coldwater bath at S506 b; actuating a heating control switch on a secondaryheating coil to enable a sterilization cycle at S512 b, and adding anantiseptic additive to the cold water bath when the water quality isbelow the first water quality threshold but above the second waterquality threshold at S514 b.

Step S516 a demonstrates controlling the water temperature in the firstcold water bath by comparing the temperature of the water in the firstcold water bath to a first temperature setpoint; increasing the speed ofthe motor of a compressor connected to a first cooling coil in the firstcold water bath when the water temperature is above the firsttemperature threshold at S518 a; when the temperature is below the firsttemperature threshold, wherein the first temperature threshold is in therange of 4.5-10 degrees Celsius, reversing the compressor motor at S520a and activating the heating control switch on the secondary heatingcoil at S522 a.

Step S516 b demonstrates controlling the water temperature in the secondcold water bath by comparing the temperature of the phase changematerial in the first chamber of the second cold water bath to a secondtemperature threshold, wherein the second temperature threshold isselected from the range of 4.5-10 degrees Celsius; increasing the speedof the motor of a compressor connected to a second cooling coil in thesecond cold water bath when the water temperature is above the secondtemperature threshold at S518 b; when the temperature is below thesecond temperature threshold, reversing the compressor motor at S520 band activating the heating control switch on the secondary heating coilas at S522 b.

Next, a method for operating the hybrid humidity control and airpurification device of claim 1 is described with respect to FIG. 6 .

The method starts by turning on the fans and the cyclonic vessel motorat step S624; comparing incoming environmental air to a particulatematter threshold at S626, wherein the cyclonic vessel motor speed isincreased if the particulate matter is above the threshold as shown atS628; comparing the outgoing air at the second air outlet vent to arelative humidity setpoint at S630, wherein the fan speeds are increasedwhen the relative humidity is above the setpoint at S632, and whereinthe fan speeds are decreased when the relative humidity is below thesetpoint at S634; comparing the outgoing air at the second air outletvent to a first particulate matter threshold at S636, wherein thecyclonic vessel motor speed is increased and the fan speeds aredecreased when the particulate matter is above the first particulatematter threshold and below a second particulate matter threshold asshown at S638, and wherein the water pump and the cyclonic vessel wateroutlet valve are actuated to flush the water from the cyclonic vesselwhen the particulate matter is above the second particulate matterthreshold, then refilling the cyclonic vessel at S639; comparing thecold water bath temperature to a temperature threshold at S640; loweringthe expansion valve pressure when the temperature is above the thresholdat S642, and increasing the expansion valve pressure when thetemperature is above the temperature threshold at S644.

In the embodiments shown above, the speed of the compressor motorcontrols the water pumping speed of the heat pump. Table 3 shows thewater pumping speed levels to which the compressor motor is set based onthe relative humidity and particulate matter content of theenvironmental air entering the device.

TABLE 3 Compressor Water pumping Speed With Respect To Relative HumidityAnd Particulate Matter Content Of Environmental Air. Pumping speed levelRelative Humidity Level PM2.5 (micro gram/m3) High  0-20% or 80-100%Greater than 100 Medium 20-35% or 55-75% 51-100 Low 35-55% 0-50

Further, although not explicitly shown, the controller switch may beremotely controlled. Additionally, the controller circuitry furtherincludes a computing device having hardware and software in order toaccomplish the controlling described above.

Next, a hardware description of the computing device according toexemplary embodiments is described with reference to FIG. 7 . In FIG. 7, the computing device includes a CPU 700 which performs the processesdescribed above/below. The process data and instructions may be storedin memory 702. These processes and instructions may also be stored on astorage medium disk 704 such as a hard drive (HDD) or portable storagemedium or may be stored remotely. Further, the claimed advancements arenot limited by the form of the computer-readable media on which theinstructions of the inventive process are stored. For example, theinstructions may be stored on CDs, DVDs, in FLASH memory, RAM, ROM,PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, hard disk or any other information processingdevice with which the computing device communicates, such as a server orcomputer.

Further, the claimed advancements may be provided as a utilityapplication, background daemon, or component of an operating system, orcombination thereof, executing in conjunction with CPU 700 and anoperating system such as Microsoft Windows 7, UNIT, Solaris, LINU7,Apple MAC-OS and other systems known to those skilled in the art.

The hardware elements in order to achieve the computing device may berealized by various circuitry elements, known to those skilled in theart. For example, CPU 700 may be a Xenon or Core processor from Intel ofAmerica or an Opteron processor from AMD of America, or may be otherprocessor types that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in theart. Alternatively, the CPU 700 may be implemented on an FPGA, ASIC, PLDor using discrete logic circuits, as one of ordinary skill in the artwould recognize. Further, CPU 700 may be implemented as multipleprocessors cooperatively working in parallel to perform the instructionsof the inventive processes described above.

The computing device in FIG. 7 also includes a network controller 706,such as an Intel Ethernet PRO network interface card from IntelCorporation of America, for interfacing with network 77. As can beappreciated, the network 77 can be a public network, such as theInternet, or a private network such as an LAN or WAN network, or anycombination thereof and can also include PSTN or ISDN sub-networks. Thenetwork 77 can also be wired, such as an Ethernet network, or can bewireless such as a cellular network including EDGE, 3G and 4G wirelesscellular systems. The wireless network can also be WiFi, Bluetooth, orany other wireless form of communication that is known.

The computing device further includes a display controller 708, such asa NVIDIA GeForce GT7 or Quadro graphics adaptor from NVIDIA Corporationof America for interfacing with display 710, such as a Hewlett PackardHPL2445w LCD monitor. A general purpose I/O interface 712 interfaceswith a keyboard and/or mouse 714 as well as a touch screen panel 716 onor separate from display 710. General purpose I/O interface alsoconnects to a variety of peripherals 718 including printers andscanners, such as an OfficeJet or DeskJet from Hewlett Packard.

A sound controller 720 is also provided in the computing device such asSound Blaster 7-Fi Titanium from Creative, to interface withspeakers/microphone 722 thereby providing sounds and/or music.

The general purpose storage controller 724 connects the storage mediumdisk 704 with communication bus 726, which may be an ISA, EISA, VESA,PCI, or similar, for interconnecting all of the components of thecomputing device. A description of the general features andfunctionality of the display 710, keyboard and/or mouse 714, as well asthe display controller 708, storage controller 724, network controller706, sound controller 720, and general purpose I/O interface 712 isomitted herein for brevity as these features are known.

The exemplary circuit elements described in the context of the presentdisclosure may be replaced with other elements and structureddifferently than the examples provided herein. Moreover, circuitryconfigured to perform features described herein may be implemented inmultiple circuit units (e.g., chips), or the features may be combined incircuitry on a single chipset, as shown on FIG. 8 .

FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of a data processing system, accordingto certain embodiments, for performing the functions of the exemplaryembodiments. The data processing system is an example of a computer inwhich code or instructions implementing the processes of theillustrative embodiments may be located.

In FIG. 8 , data processing system 800 employs a hub architectureincluding a north bridge and memory controller hub (NB/MCH) 825 and asouth bridge and input/output (I/O) controller hub (SB/ICH) 820. Thecentral processing unit (CPU) 830 is connected to NB/MCH 825. The NB/MCH825 also connects to the memory 845 via a memory bus, and connects tothe graphics processor 850 via an accelerated graphics port (AGP). TheNB/MCH 825 also connects to the SB/ICH 820 via an internal bus (e.g., aunified media interface or a direct media interface). The CPU Processingunit 830 may contain one or more processors and even may be implementedusing one or more heterogeneous processor systems.

For example, FIG. 9 shows one implementation of CPU 830. In oneimplementation, the instruction register 938 retrieves instructions fromthe fast memory 940. At least part of these instructions are fetchedfrom the instruction register 938 by the control logic 936 andinterpreted according to the instruction set architecture of the CPU830. Part of the instructions can also be directed to the register 932.In one implementation the instructions are decoded according to ahardwired method, and in another implementation the instructions aredecoded according a microprogram that translates instructions into setsof CPU configuration signals that are applied sequentially over multipleclock pulses. After fetching and decoding the instructions, theinstructions are executed using the arithmetic logic unit (ALU) 934 thatloads values from the register 932 and performs logical and mathematicaloperations on the loaded values according to the instructions. Theresults from these operations can be feedback into the register and/orstored in the fast memory 940. According to certain implementations, theinstruction set architecture of the CPU 830 can use a reducedinstruction set architecture, a complex instruction set architecture, avector processor architecture, a very large instruction wordarchitecture. Furthermore, the CPU 830 can be based on the Von Neumanmodel or the Harvard model. The CPU 830 can be a digital signalprocessor, an FPGA, an ASIC, a PLA, a PLD, or a CPLD. Further, the CPU830 can be an x86 processor by Intel or by AMD; an ARM processor, aPower architecture processor by, e.g., IBM; a SPARC architectureprocessor by Sun Microsystems or by Oracle; or other known CPUarchitecture.

Referring again to FIG. 8 , the data processing system 800 can includethat the SB/ICH 820 is coupled through a system bus to an I/O Bus, aread only memory (ROM) 856, universal serial bus (USB) port 864, a flashbinary input/output system (BIOS) 868, and a graphics controller 858.PCI/PCIe devices can also be coupled to SB/ICH 888 through a PCI bus862.

The PCI devices may include, for example, Ethernet adapters, add-incards, and PC cards for notebook computers. The Hard disk drive 860 andCD-ROM 866 can use, for example, an integrated drive electronics (IDE)or serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) interface. In oneimplementation the I/O bus can include a super I/O (SIO) device.

Further, the hard disk drive (HDD) 860 and optical drive 866 can also becoupled to the SB/ICH 820 through a system bus. In one implementation, akeyboard 870, a mouse 872, a parallel port 878, and a serial port 876can be connected to the system bus through the I/O bus. Otherperipherals and devices that can be connected to the SB/ICH 820 using amass storage controller such as SATA or PATA, an Ethernet port, an ISAbus, a LPC bridge, SMBus, a DMA controller, and an Audio Codec.

Moreover, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific circuitelements described herein, nor is the present disclosure limited to thespecific sizing and classification of these elements. For example, theskilled artisan will appreciate that the circuitry described herein maybe adapted based on changes on battery sizing and chemistry, or based onthe requirements of the intended back-up load to be powered.

The functions and features described herein may also be executed byvarious distributed components of a system. For example, one or moreprocessors may execute these system functions, wherein the processorsare distributed across multiple components communicating in a network.The distributed components may include one or more client and servermachines, which may share processing, as shown on FIG. 10 , in additionto various human interface and communication devices (e.g., displaymonitors, smart phones, tablets, personal digital assistants (PDAs)).The network may be a private network, such as a LAN or WAN, or may be apublic network, such as the Internet. Input to the system may bereceived via direct user input and received remotely either in real-timeor as a batch process. Additionally, some implementations may beperformed on modules or hardware not identical to those described.Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope that may beclaimed.

The above-described hardware description is a non-limiting example ofcorresponding structure for performing the functionality describedherein.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings.

In a non-limiting example, the cyclonic vessel as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4may be optional in situations where the environmental air is notparticulate laden, such as air which is already filtered by an airconditioning system. A simplified device could have only the cold waterbath 360 and the heating chamber, with some means for temperaturecontrol. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of theappended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than asspecifically described herein.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for hybrid humidity control andair purification, comprising: surrounding a cyclonic vessel, a coldwater bath, a heating chamber, a heat pump including a compressor and acontroller by an enclosure, the enclosure having a first air intake portand a first air outlet vent, wherein the cyclonic vessel is in the shapeof a vertically oriented truncated cone with a wide portion disposed atan upper end of the truncated cone and a narrow portion disposed at alower end of the truncated cone; receiving environmental air at thefirst air intake port fluidly connected to a cyclonic vessel, byactuating a first fan located within the first air intake port;providing a water stream in the cyclonic vessel, by actuating a firstwater inlet valve located in the cyclonic vessel and spraying waterthrough a spray ring disposed inside the cyclonic vessel at the top end,said spray ring having a plurality of holes configured to direct thewater to the interior sides of the cyclonic vessel; spinning theenvironmental air and water stream by adjusting the motor speed of amotor located within the cyclonic vessel, wherein spinning theenvironmental air propels particulates in the environmental air into thewater stream, thus purifying the air and generating a purified airstream; expelling the purified air stream from the cyclonic vessel intoa first air tube by actuating a second fan located within a first airoutput port in the cyclonic vessel; receiving the first air tube at asecond air intake port; fluidly connecting the second air intake port toa first microbubbling filter located in a first temperature controlledcold water bath having a first cold water volume; the microbubblingfilter separating the purified air stream into microbubbles, themicrobubbles evaporating into a first air volume located above the coldwater volume; controlling the temperature of water within the cold watervolume by adjusting the motor speed of a compressor connected to acooling coil located within the cold water volume, wherein controllingthe temperature controls the humidity of the air in the air volume;expelling the humidified purified air stream from the first air volumeinto a cold water bath air tube by actuating a third fan located withina third air output port located within the cold water bath; receivingthe cold water bath air tube at a heating chamber air intake portlocated in the sidewall of a heating chamber; heating the humidified airstream; and expelling the heated humidified air stream into theenvironment by actuating an exit fan located within the first air outletvent; wherein the controlling is carried out by a controller configuredto receive signals from sensors located within the enclosure, andactuate the fans, actuate the water valves, adjust the cyclonic vesselmotor speed, control the motor speed of the compressor, and control anexpansion valve based on the signals received from the sensors.
 2. Themethod for hybrid humidity control and air purification of claim 1, thecold water bath further comprising a second cold water bath, the secondcold water bath having a first chamber containing a volume of phasechange material selected to change phase in the range of 4.5-10 degreesCelsius, preferably at 5 degrees Celsius, a second cooling coil and acooling loop, and a second chamber containing a second volume of water,a second microbubbling filter, and a second volume of air located abovethe second volume of water; receiving the purified humidified air intothe first chamber; passing the purified humidified air through thecooling loop; separating the purified humidified purified air by passingthe purified humidified air through the second microbubbling filterconnected to the cooling loop; the microbubbles evaporating into thesecond air volume; expelling the humidified purified air stream from thesecond air volume into a cold water bath air tube by actuating a fourthfan in a fourth air output port located within the second chamber;controlling the humidity of the second air volume by controlling thetemperature of the first chamber, wherein controlling the temperature iscarried out by a controller configured to control the motor speed of thecompressor connected to the second cooling coil.
 3. The method forhybrid humidity control and air purification of claim 1, the first airintake port further comprising a first temperature sensor, a firstrelative humidity sensor and a first particulate sensor, the first fanhaving an adjustable speed, wherein the controller has circuitryconfigured to adjust the fan speed and receive signals from the sensors;measuring the particulate matter, the temperature and the relativehumidity of the environmental air entering the cyclonic vessel;adjusting the fan speed based on signals received from the sensors. 4.The method for hybrid humidity control and air purification of claim 1,the cyclonic vessel further including a first water level sensor and afirst water outlet valve; the first cold water bath further including asecond water inlet valve, a second water outlet valve, a secondtemperature sensor, a second water level sensor and a first waterquality sensor; measuring the water temperature, the water level, andthe water quality; and controlling the second water inlet valve, thesecond water outlet valve, the water level and the water quality basedon signals received from the second water level sensor and the firstwater quality sensor; actuating the valves based on signals receivedfrom the first and second water level sensors; and controlling the motorspeed of the compressor and the motor speed of the fans based on thesignals received from the temperature sensors.
 5. The method for hybridhumidity control and air purification of claim 1, the enclosure airoutput vent further comprising an air output vent temperature sensor anda second relative humidity sensor, controlling the variable expansionvalve based on signals received from the air outlet vent temperaturesensor and the second relative humidity sensor.
 6. The method for hybridhumidity control and air purification of claim 1, the cyclonic vesselfurther comprising a first water outlet valve; the cold water bathfurther comprising a first water quality sensor, a second water levelsensor, a second water outlet valve and a second water inlet valve; theenclosure further comprising a water pump including an optional lintgrinder; and a sewer line connected to the water pump; wherein thecontroller actuates the water inlet and water outlet valves, and thewater pump based on signals received from the water level and waterquality sensors.
 7. The method for hybrid humidity control and airpurification of claim 1, further comprising thermally insulating theheating chamber from the cooling water bath by constructing a housingsurrounding the heating chamber, wherein the housing is at least one ofa double walled heat shield comprising thermally insulative materialbetween the walls.
 8. The method for hybrid humidity control and airpurification of claim 1, the enclosure further comprising a secondaryheater connected to a heating control switch, wherein the controllerincludes circuitry configured for: initiating a sterilization cycle byactuating the heating control switch to raise the temperature in theenclosure to a temperature range of 60-100 degrees Celsius for a timeperiod based on the measurement of the water quality sensor.